Forever Green Member - 884

Forever Green Icon - Class of 2024

Gary Sawyer might be one of those unique players that is highly thought of at both Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle.

Coming through the Home Park youth system, it was at St James Park where Sawyer cut his teeth, spending two seasons on loan to City, at the time three divisions below Championship side Argyle.

Sawyer returned to Home Park with 72 games under his belt, and made his Pilgrims debut just after his 21st birthday. Notching a century of games in the next three years, Sawyer played with consistency and class at left-back. Although not renowned for goalscoring prowess, he scored five times in that stint, including a memorable Boxing Day winner at Cardiff City.

Sawyer moved to Bristol Rovers and then Leyton Orient, before returning to Argyle in the summer of 2015, becoming Derek Adams’ first signing as manager.

Over the next six years, Gary made another 185 appearances – notching one further goal – including two seasons where he was an ever present in the league. That spell included two promotion seasons, and saw Sawyer rise to be club captain, and something of an Argyle statesman.

Upon retirement, by which time his appearance total came just two shy of 300 for Argyle, Sawyer remained as part of the fabric of the football club, becoming an Ambassador, a role which means he is a regular face in Club Argyle during match days.